Trial date in AZ sweat lodge deaths case vacated

[July 15, 2010]  FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) -- The trial date for a motivational speaker charged in the deaths of three people following a sweat lodge ceremony he led in Arizona won't start next month as planned.

James Arthur Ray's trial had been scheduled to begin Aug. 31. A court document released Wednesday says the date has been vacated. No new date was set.

Yavapai (YAV-uh-pie) County Superior Court Judge Warren Darrow recently was assigned to another trial that was expected to overlap with the starting date for Ray's trial.

Darrow had suggested that the Ray case be assigned to another judge, but he remained on the case as of Wednesday.

Ray has pleaded not guilty to three counts of manslaughter stemming from the October deaths.

A hearing on pending motions is set for Aug. 10. That includes one to move the trial out of Camp Verde.

[Associated Press]

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